Love Came Down

You've heard the analogy probably young in Sunday school as I did, or maybe in a youth group or women's ministry. Jesus is the only one to bridge the great divide of the chasm between us, sinners, and the eternal, perfect Lord of All.It's one of the simplest things and one of the first we're told about salvation.

The Psalmist tells us that, As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

These are horizontal measurements. If we tried to measure how far the east is from the west, we'd look like children stretching and straining our arms and muscles and fingertips as far as possible in a "T" shape. "This much! This far!"

I don't know about you, but I more think in terms of the vertical. Climbing and straining and striving up ladders of performance, perfectionism, and not good enough, then falling slowly, then all at once, back to the bottom where anxiety and guilt plague me for not living up to my expectations. But it goes deeper down than ridiculous expectations.

I think--am trying to get to the past tense of I thought at one time--I had to keep up appearances and fix my issues and be better at everything for Jesus to love me. For me to be worthy, I had to keep climbing and climbing, striving and striving. Get a daily dose of the Living Water in the morning, and leave my desk with a, Okay, I can take it from here. Thanks for the pick me up. I can't even tell you when this started, but suffice it enough to say I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit's conviction and revealing.

Anybody else have daily ladders they climb?

"The real amazing dream is that there are no ladders to climb up, because Christ came down one to get you."

Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift

I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.

John 1:51

Jesus

Jesus

Jesus

You love me.

Even when I'm being stubborn and petty and childish. Human.

I don't have to strive, do, or fix myself or be better, for You to love me.